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Volume 1 (1999/2000)
Issue
1 (March 1999)
Issue
2 (Nov. 1999)
Issue 3 (Dec. 1999)
Issue 4 (Feb. 2000)
Issue 5 (March 2000)
Issue 6 (April 2000)
Issue
7 (May 2000)
Volume 2 (2000/2001)
Issue 1 (Sept. 2000)
Issue 2 (Oct. 2000)
Issue 3 (Jan. 2001)
Issue 4 (March 2001)
Issue 5 (April 2001)
Issue 6 (May 2001)
Volume 3 (2001)
Issue 1 (Sept. 2001)
Issue 2 (Nov. 2001)
Categories
Sport: 1
2 3
Lifestyles: 1 2
3
Commentary: 1 2
3
Review: 1 2
3
Writing: 1 2
3
Event: 1 2
3
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Clare Egan
Mercy Convent, Beaumont
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names
will never hurt me"
Clare Egan advices on bullying
Millions of teenagers, children and adults will repeat this little pep
talk when they are the victims of bullying and verbal abuse. In my opinion,
there will always be bullies. Since the dawn of time there has always
been those people who find enjoyment in putting others down, teasing them
and making their lives a misery. In fact, Issac Newton was a victim of
a bully. But perhaps it is best not to solve your bully problem as he
did by smashing the head of the bully into a wall!
Bullies are cowards with low self esteem. Anyone who puts someone down
is just looking for a way to make themselves feel big. The most common
advice given to bully victims is to 'Just ignore them'. But, anyone who
has ever been bullied will know that this is easier said than done.
Who is a bully?
Bullies are those people who take joy in making other peoples lives a
misery. Remember that they are the ones with real problem. Perhaps they
have been bullied themselves and pick on someone else to make themselves
feel big?
Who do bullies pick on?
Bullies will pick on you for any reason even your hair colour. Their victims
are usually those that they know won't be able to fight back, often those
with low self esteem. Even the little things, like your posture, may determine
whether you will be a target for the bully. A poor or defensive posture
(shoulders slumped, books carried tightly to against the chest) could
make you a victim. Bullies will look for people like this as they don't
want to be shown up by someone whose posture shows them to be confident.
They will not risk taunting a person who they think will turn the tables
on them.
How can you ignore them?
You can't, but you can try. Stand up for yourself - don't be used as a
doormat. Sam Horn (author of Tongue Fu) says that 'you have a choice,
you can continue to be hurt by the comments or you can create a comeback
attack'. When staging a comeback avoid the 'I' statements (e.g. 'I don't
like you saying that'), as this could get you into a debate with the bully.
Rather, you should imagine yourself in a plastic bubble, and watch her/his
words bounce harmlessly off the surface. Think of something more pleasant.
If someone is taunting you, walk on regardless, glance casually over your
shoulder and say something like 'Get a life'. Its very important to keep
on walking. If they try to say something back to you, just ignore them.
Don't give them the satisfaction of a reply. For those among us that are
brave, when the bully taunts you, stop in your tracks, swing around, go
straight up to them, look them in the eye, and say something like, 'Is
that supposed to bother me?'. This isn't what they'll be expecting. You'll
be at the advantage.
So, remember:
o Laugh their comments off. If you act confident, you'll feel confident.
o Don't insult them back.
o Never let them see you cry.
o Never stoop to their level.
And if the bullying gets so out of control that you cannot handle it
yourself, ask an adult or a teacher for help.
I hope you will never find yourself in a situation where you can't handle
it.
Talk to you next time.
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